It operated six Fokker F27 aircraft, and the
call sign was "Wild Onion" in reference to the
Chippewa Indian derivation of the name
"Chicago." The Fokker aircraft were subleased
from Midstate Airlines of Stevens Point,
Wisconsin, which also performed contract
maintenance work on the aircraft.

Chicago Air had been working closely for two
years with Saab Aircraft of Linköping, Sweden to
acquire initially 10 Saab SF-340 turboprop
commuter aircraft, which would have begun
delivery in 1987 enabling expansion of services
to Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo, IA;
South Bend, Ft. Wayne, Lafayette, and
Evansville, IN; and Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids,
MI. Chicago Air held a further option for 16 of
the SF-340 aircraft, which would have enabled
the carrier to expand services to additional
markets in Michigan, Ohio, Missouri and
Minnesota.

In addition to its low-fare cachet and
connections at convenient Midway Airport,
Chicago Air introduced several important service
improvements to the regional airline industry,
including quality meal services, premium beer
wine and cocktails, and improved in-flight
amenities.

The introduction of non-refundable fares by all
competitive carriers during the summer season of
1986 made the Chicago Air venture a short-lived
enterprise, and it ceased service in November,
1986. Midstate Airlines discontinued the
subleasing agreement with Chicago Air of the
F-27 aircraft, as well as use of the maintenance
facilities. Soon after, Midway Airlines launched
the successful regional "Midway Connection"
service operated by Fischer Brothers Aviation
with the Fairchild-Dornier 228, proving that a
feeder network to Midway Airport was a viable
idea.

The legacy of Midway Airlines, Chicago Air, and
Midway Connection can be seen today by any
visitor to Midway Airport. These carriers
pioneered the concept that Midway could be a
vital and important link in the Chicago and
national transportation networks.

The airline was led by Neal F. Meehan
(President), former president of Continental
Express Airlines and of New York Air; and by J.
Scott Christian (Executive V.P.), a former
senior manager at Continental Airlines; Booz
Allen Hamilton; and New York Air. Meehan and
Christian together controlled 50 percent of the
carrier's voting stock, with the remaining
shares held mostly by a small group of Chicago
area investors.